BYGONE DAYS: Old farming society hosts its annual exhibition

During this week in June 1925 it was reported that the “old-established” Killyleagh, Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill Farming Society had held its annual agricultural show the previous Saturday at the showgrounds in Killyleagh, Co Down.
Pictured in 2000 is John Drummond and Bratlach Sophie who received the Carr Cup for the champion Clydesdale at the Killyleagh Show. Picture: Killyleagh ShowPictured in 2000 is John Drummond and Bratlach Sophie who received the Carr Cup for the champion Clydesdale at the Killyleagh Show. Picture: Killyleagh Show
Pictured in 2000 is John Drummond and Bratlach Sophie who received the Carr Cup for the champion Clydesdale at the Killyleagh Show. Picture: Killyleagh Show

It was reported that, “the weather was delightful” for an open air agricultural show and this had the effect of attracting the largest attendance in the record of the society.

It was noted: “The society is one of the oldest in Ulster, having been formed as a farming society in 1816 and having promoted show for at least the part of eighty years, and it is gratifying to state that the passage of time has added to its virility that at present it is in a very live healthy condition.

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“In some respects the show itself was not quite so big in numbers as in one or two of the past years, because there was a falling-off in entries in one or two classes, but, on the other hand, what was lost in quantity was made in quality everywhere.”

Pictured  are members of the Killyleagh Show committee, date unknown.  Picture: Killyleagh ShowPictured  are members of the Killyleagh Show committee, date unknown.  Picture: Killyleagh Show
Pictured are members of the Killyleagh Show committee, date unknown. Picture: Killyleagh Show

Included in a large party on the grandstand were the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, who was one of the honorary vice presidents of the society, Lord Clanwilliam, and the Right Honourable E M Archdale, DL, MP, Minister of Agriculture for Northern Ireland.

show arrangements

The arrangements for the show were carried out by a large committee assisted by Mr Hugh Brown, JP, Killyleagh, honorary secretary; Mr S C N Lowry, Downpatrick, honorary treasurer; and Mr John L Morrow, Killyleagh, secretary, the judges including Mr A Snodgrass (hunters), Mr J C Drennan (Clydesdale and agricultural horses), Mr A Cameron and Mr John Wallace (cattle). Mr John Wallace (swine), Mr O’Hare (sheep). Miss McMullen (butter eggs) and Mr. William Payne (poultry).

SPECIAL PRIZES FOR HORSES

A member of the show committee pictured at Killyleagh Castle. Picture: Killyleagh ShowA member of the show committee pictured at Killyleagh Castle. Picture: Killyleagh Show
A member of the show committee pictured at Killyleagh Castle. Picture: Killyleagh Show

There were a number of prizes presented for horses at the show that year. These included: Silver cup (presented by the Irish Hunter Stud Book Society), for the best hunter brood mare registered previous to the show was won by James Gourley, Derryboy Cottage. Trophy (presented by a breeder), the exhibitor winning most points in hunter section was won by James Taggart, Ballymurry. Staghunters’ Cup (presented by Major D Dixon), for the champion exhibit in hunter section, bred by exhibitor was won by James Taggart, Ballymurry. Rademon Challenge Cup (presented by Right Honourable Colonel R G. Sharman-Crawford, DL), for the best gelding or filly two or three years old, suitable for or likely to make hunter, bred exhibitor was won by James Taggart, Ballymurry. Female Clydesdale Championship Cup (presented by Mr, John McRobert, JP, Crossgar), for the best female Clydesdale exhibited at the show was won by John McRobert, JP, Rademon, Crossgar. Lindsay medal (presented by Mr Thomas Lindsay, Derryboy House), for the best brood Clydesdale mare was won by Robert Thompson, Church Vale. Medal (presented by Clydesdale Horse Society), for the best Clydesdale yearling or two-year-old colt or filly was won by R Thompson. Derryboy Cottage Cup (presented by Mr James Gourley, Derryboy Cottage), for best animal in agricultural section, confined to Lecale members was won by Adam J Kelly, Ballyalton.

SPECIAL PRIZES FOR CATTLE

There was also a long list for the prizes given for cattle.

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These included: H C Orr Cup (presented by Mr H C Orr, Crossgar), for the best shorthorn bull was won by R Thompson, Church Vale. President’s Cup (presented by Colonel G. Rowan-Hamilton, DL, Killyleagh), for the best two-year-old heifer in cross-bred dairy sections was won by James Hutchinson, Tullynacows. Crossgar Cup (presented by Mr H Morrison, Crossgar), for best one or two year-old cross-bred heifer likely to make general purpose cow was won by James Hutchinson. Clintagh Cup (presented by Mr H Coulter, Crossgar), for two best yearling bullocks, bred by exhibitor was won by C Breeze, The Hill.

A page from the 1929 report and prize list of the Killyleagh, Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill Farming Society. Picture: Killyleagh ShowA page from the 1929 report and prize list of the Killyleagh, Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill Farming Society. Picture: Killyleagh Show
A page from the 1929 report and prize list of the Killyleagh, Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill Farming Society. Picture: Killyleagh Show

sheep prizes

In the sheep section the following prizes were presented at the annual show: W C Carr Memorial Challenge Cup and trophy, value 150 guineas, for champion in Border Leicester section was won by J J Minnis, Tullynagee. Medal for best Border Leicester was won by J J Minnis. Medal (presented by R J Allam Ltd), for the best Border Leicester ram lamb was won by John McGregor, Clintagh. Secretary’s Cup (presented Mr John L Morrow), for the best exhibit in Suffolk class was won by J O and C. Hosking, Ardglass. Ulster Produce Company’s Cup (presented by the Ulster Produce Company), for two best crossbred lambs was won by J Hutchinson. Tullynacows. Medal (presented Mr W R Flynn, The Spa), for best pair Scotch mountain ewes was won by C Breeze, The Hill.

prizes for swine

Prizes presented for swine included: The Raines Cup (presented by Lieutenant-Colonel Raines, Killinchy), for best champion exhibit was won W K Smyth, Ballyalgin. Medal for best large white Ulster sow was won by W R Smyth.

Page from the 1929 prize schedule for the show. Picture: Courtesy of Killyleagh ShowPage from the 1929 prize schedule for the show. Picture: Courtesy of Killyleagh Show
Page from the 1929 prize schedule for the show. Picture: Courtesy of Killyleagh Show

BUTTER AND BAKING SECTION

The Hill House Cup (presented by Mrs H C Orr, Clintagh), for the exhibitor winning most points in butter classes was won by Mrs J Lowry, Raffrey. The Breeze Cup (presented by Mr C Breeze, The Hill), for the most points in the baking sections was won by Mrs K M Giffert, Rathcunningham. Prize for best knitted silk dress was won by Miss Cassie E Gordon. Prize for most points in cakes was won by Mrs Giffert. Prize for best wool jumper knitted by girl under 16 year was won by Miss Aline Gilchrist. Prize for best worked pillow cases or shams was won by Mrs T Ritchie. Prize for boy’s jersey suit was won by Miss E Gordon. Prize for crochet table centre was won by Miss A Morrow. Prize for best crochet silk jumper was won by Miss Caesie E Gordon. Prize for best knitted silk jumper was won by Miss Russell. Prize for best cake griddle soda bread was won by Miss M A Garrett. Prize for best wool jumper was won by Mrs D Mullan. Prize for best arranged vase of flowers was won by George Stokesbury. Prize for best embroidered bedspread (linen) was won by Miss Lucy Jackson.

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